Declaration of Ethical Principles in Relation to Climate Change

On 13 November 2017 UNESCO Member States, meeting in Paris at the 39th session of the General Conference, agreed on and adopted the Declaration of Ethical Principles in Relation to Climate Change.

Climate change is a common concern for all humankind, and the global and local challenges of climate change cannot be met without the participation of all people at all levels of society including States, international organizations, sub-national entities, local authorities, indigenous peoples, local communities, the private sector, civil society organizations, and individuals.

The UNESCO Declaration of Ethical Principles in relation to Climate Change expresses the concern of UNESCO Member States that climate change could create morally unacceptable damage and injustice. This Declaration sets out a shortlist of the globally-agreed ethical principles that should guide decision-making and policy-making at all levels and help mobilize people to address climate change.